Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Laparoscopic Repair of Para-Esophageal Hernia Using Absorbable Biosynthetic Mesh
Published on: September 11, 2021
Giant epiphrenic diverticulum with achalasia occurring 20 years after Heller's operation
Y Dobashi1, N Goseki, Y Inutake
1First Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
We report a case of giant epiphrenic diverticulum in a 43-year-old woman who underwent Heller's myotomy because of achalasia 20 years earlier. She complained of heartburn and dysphagia from March of 1991 and was hospitalized in our institution. An upper gastrointestinal X-ray examination with contrast medium revealed a large hemispheric lesion (7.8 x 4.8 cm) occupying the right posterior wall of the lower thoracic and abdominal esophagus. Manometry revealed a motility disorder and high pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter due to achalasia. Therefore she was diagnosed as having a giant diverticulum with achalasia after Heller's operation. She underwent transhiatal esophagectomy and reconstruction with placement of a gastric tube on June 4, 1992. Pathology results on the resected specimen revealed a false diverticulum. She has been doing well for 4 years since the operation. It has been said that a complication of incomplete long myotomy causes pulsion diverticulum, but we could not find a case of epiphrenic diverticulum after myotomy for achalasia reported in the literature in the last 10 years.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure entails...
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Esophageal Achalasia
Hiatal Hernia
Diverticular Disease of the Colon

